Content

12.1

The Director of Policy and Democratic
Engagement presented a report considering a series of actions to be
undertaken by Sheffield City Council responding to concerns
expressed by local people in relation to the ongoing conflict in
Gaza and the humanitarian situation that continues to
unfold.  It also responds to a recent
Full Council motion, which amongst other things, called for the
Strategy and Resources Committee to consider whether Sheffield City
Council should join the Sheffield Coalition Against Israeli
Apartheid.

 

 

12.2

RESOLVED: That Strategy and
Resources Policy Committee:-

 

 

 

(i) notes that the aims of the Sheffield Coalition
Against Israeli Apartheid are ones that Sheffield City Council may
not lawfully implement, and therefore to note that the Council
cannot join the Sheffield Coalition Against Israeli
Apartheid;

 

 

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That
Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

 

 

 

(ii)
notes the concern of many people in Sheffield about the loss of
civilian life in Israel and Palestine, to note the actions of many
people in Sheffield who have campaigned against the ongoing
violence, particularly in Gaza, and those who have fundraised to
support the victims of the conflict, and to note the options
available for Sheffield people to donate to the humanitarian
response should they so wish;

 
(iii)
notes that Sheffield City Council does not have any contractual
relationship with any of the companies named in the UN Human Rights
Council as enabling or supporting the construction or continued
existence of illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories and to note that the Council will always procure
services in line with its Ethical Procurement Policy;
and
 
(iv)
notes Sheffield City Council’s continued recognition of the
State of Palestine as a full, sovereign, and independent nation, as
set out in the resolution of Full Council on 4 September
2019.

 

 

 

(NOTE: The result of the vote on
resolution (i) was FOR - 11 Members; AGAINST - 2 Members;
ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members. 

 

 

12.3

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

12.3.1

By adopting the
recommendations, the Council will demonstrate how it is responding
to the concerns raised about the ongoing conflict in Gaza by many
in the city, whilst ensuring that it acts in accordance with the
legal framework laid down by Parliament.

 

 

12.4

Alternatives
Considered and Rejected

 

 

12.4.1

The only alternative option considered was to join
the Sheffield Coalition against Israeli Apartheid.  As discussed in the body of the report, this
option was likely to be unlawful and, as such, was discounted.